Color plate registering equipment



1960 E. MUELLER COLOR PLATE REGISTERING EQUIPMENT 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 31, 1955 I I I LOUIS E.MUELLER ATTORNEYS Jan. 19, 1960 L. E. MUELLER 2,921,373

COLOR PLATE REGISTERING EQUIPMENT Filed Aug. 31, 1955 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN V EN TOR.

Vi? fi' BY 1 ou|s E.MUELLER I 1 9 Z; 56 55 1 5' 53 7 ATTORNEYS Jan. 19, 1960 L. E. MUELLER 2,921,378

COLOR PLATE REGISTERING EQUIPMENT Filed Aug. 31, 1955 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 iiiiillllln r1 1.11 Fi .15 87 n0 m J 1 15.] '09 n H9 H8 n4 '07 INVENTOR.

LOUIS E. MUELLER ATTORNEYS Jan. 19, 1960 L. E. MUELLER COLOR PLATE REGISTERING EQUIPMENT 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Aug. 31, 1955 DRIVE TODAY SO YOU CAN DRIVE TOMORROW PASS WITH CARE SAFETY FACTOR ON THE HIGHWAY IS IMPORTANT COME IN TODAY FOR YOUR CHECK-UP I N VEN TOR.

Jan. 19, 1960 MUELLER 2,921,378

COL OR PLATE REGISTERING EQUIPMENT 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Aug. 31, 1955 INVENTOIL LOUIS E.MUELLER ATro RN EYs United States ate COLOR PLATE REGISTERWG EQUHPMENT Louis E. Mueller, Detroit, Mich, assignor to The Rapid Electrotype Company, Cincinnati, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application August 31, 1955, Serial No. 531,717

13 Claims. (Cl. 33-1845) The present invention relates to an improved method, and to novel and improved apparatus or equipment to perform the same, for securing accurate register of progressive color separation engravings or patterns from which mats are moulded in the procedure of preparing multicolor electrotype or stereotype printing plates.

It is an object of the invention to provide a simple, easily and rapidly performed method for registering prepared engravings or patterns for the respective color separation mats, by which exact centering and registering of the various patterns is attained through the use of special, similar and standard size pattern mounting or Gem Metal plates, on each of which a color separation pattern is mounted and centered uniformly with exactitude. More specifically, the method in this respect involves the use of a transparent, acetate sheet manipulated in a novel manner by an improvement in the apparatus, which sheet receives an inked impression of the image of one of the patterns, and is employed subsequently in the individual registration of further patterns.

In another aspect, it is an object of the invention to provide an improved method by which progressive color separation patterns, preferably as centered and e);- actly registered in relation to one another by the foregoing procedure, are then prepared for the operation of moulding a mat thereagainst by operations which insure the locating of end bolster areas and end margins of the mat in a precise way, in relation to the newspaper page space which is desired for the particular mat in question.

Considered comprehensively and in greater detail, it is an object of the invention to provide an improved method for the preparation of electrotype or stereotype mats from a set of prepared multicolor separation engravings or patterns, in which method a key pattern, usually representing the portion of the subject matter to be printed in black, is first accurately centered on a stand ard sized and accurately proportioned pattern mounting plate, as by reference to longitudinal and transverse scribe marks or rulings on the plate, the pattern being securely cemented to the plate in centered relation thereto; in which the thus prepared pattern and mounting plate unit is then locked up on a transfer table of improved character, in a predetermined registered relation to that table, following which an inked impression is taken directly from the pattern on a transparent acetate sheet associated in a novel manner with the register table; in which the initial or key pattern is then stamped and scribed in predetermined areas with the aidof selectively adjustable register arms associated with the acetatecarrying frame for this purpose, which arms are held rigidly by the frame in their adjusted positions; in which the key pattern and mounting plate unit as prepared in this fashion is then removed for further processing, also in accordance with the invention, being replaced successively as the method is carried out by further pattern mounting plates which are identical to the first plate and are identically locked to the register table; in which each of the respective successive plates has its respective color separation engraving or pattern accurately registered in reference to the plate by visual registration of the initial transferred image on the frame-mounted acetate sheet, and is then cemented or otherwise secured to its mounting plate in the proper position on the latter as thus precisely determined; and in which each of the registered and secured patterns of the respective patternplate units has applied thereto a set of stamped register marks with the assistance of the register arms, as previously set in register-stamping the initial key plate.

As a further object in accordance with the method of the invention, the set of registered pattern-mounting plate units are each individually mounted up in a special moulding frame, by which the unit is again precisely located by reference to registering provisions on the frame; and in which special mat margin rules are then associated with the moulding frame in any desired spacing from the opposite ends of the registered pattern, provisions being made to retain the rules in the selected adjusted position without lost motion, whereby a mat which is then moulded against the moulding frame-rule assembly will exhibit the desired page space and bolster attributes specified by the newspaper.

It is a still further object of the invention to provide improved and simplified apparatus or equipment by means of which the above described method steps may be performed easily and quickly, and with the highest degree of accuracy of result, by inexperienced personnel. To this end, the apparatus of the invention may be considered to comprise:

(a) An improved register table construction having a rigid rectangular base plate and precisely machined abutment bars or bearers against which the pattern mounting plates mentioned above are snugly and securely held, in identical position for each plate, by means of a clamping linkage associated with the register table;

(12) A register table of this character which is provided with a pivoted, grid-like frame across which a transparent acetate sheet is stretched by a novel sheet-tautening provision on the frame, which frame also carries the novel,

adjustable and settable register arm units referred to above, so that the acetate will be positioned over the plate-mounted pattern when the frame is in operative position, and so that the setta'ole arms may be adjusted and locked in desired positions over four exposed corner areas of the pattern which project beyond the acetate;

(0) An improved type of an adjustable and lockingly settable register arm unit associated with a frame of the type described;

(d) A noveland improved moulding frame having plate abutment locating shoulders precisely secured thereon to receive the pattern-mounting plate unit for the performance of an ensuing mat-moulding operation, the moulding frame being supplemented for this operation by special mat margin rules precisely held in a desired relation to the moulding frame by novel provisions; and

. (e) A set of special precisely proportioned rules for the purpose just mentioned, which, like the moulding frame, are provided with milled holding teeth or splines in a predetermined position thereon; the respective teeth or splines of the frame and rules having a close tolerance, nested or mating engagement with one another upon association of the rules with the moulding frame, so that the rules are secured against possible movement prior to or during the mat moulding operation.

Other objects and features of the invention will become apparent as the description proceeds, especially when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 a top plan view, partially broken away showing the improved register table of the apparatus, with a copper mounting plate or Gem Metal for an engraving or pattern which is to be clamped on the table shown in dot-dash line;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary view in transverse vertical section along the broken line 22 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a view of the operating table linkage, as viewed in plan or horizontal section along line 33 of Fig.2;

Figs. 4, and 6 are fragmentary views in enlarged scale of the above mentioned linkage, in vertical section along lines 44, 5-5 and 6-6, respectively, of Fig. 3;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary view in vertical section along line 77 of Fig. 4;

Figs. 8, 9 and and 11 are, respectively, enlarged fragmentary views in vertical section along lines 8-8, 99, 1010, and 11-11 of Fig. 1, illustrating structural features of a pivotal frame for an acetate transfer sheet and for a plurality of register arms associated with the table of Fig. 1;

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary view in vertical section on line 12-12 of Fig. 2, showing an adjusting detail for a register arm;

as viewed along line 13-13 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 14 is a plan view of an engraving or pattern, as prepared by routing, in its assembled relation to a Gem Metal base or support plate in accordance with the invention;

Fig. 15 is a view in end elevation of the plate unit of Fig. 14, as viewed from the bottom of the latter;

Fig. 16 is a top plan view of an improved moulding frame for use in conjunction with the equipment of Figs. 1 through 13; the view also showing a fragmentary portion of an improved margin rule which is employed in conjunction with the moulding frame in the moulding of a printing mat on the properly located pattern of Figs. 14, 15;

Fig. 17 is a view in end elevation of the unit of Fig. 16, as viewed from the left of Fig. 16;

Fig. 18 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view, in enlarged scale, along the line 1818 of Fig. 16;

Fig. 19 is a fragmentary view in vertical section on line 1919 of Fig. 16;

Fig. 20 is a top plan view of the improved mat margin rule of the invention which is employed in association with the unit of Fig. 16, in the manner indicated in that figure; and

Fig. 21 is a view in section of the rule of Fig. 20, along line 2121 of that figure.

Considered generally, the novel apparatus or equipment by means of which the novel method of the invention is carried out consists essentially of a register table 10, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, which has associated therewith a pivotal frame 11 carrying across its central opening 12 a stretched acetate image transfer sheet 13,

as well as a plurality of adjustable register arms 14 adjacent the corners of this aperture or opening, the structural details of the table, frame and register arms being further shown in Figs. 3 through 13; a specially proportioned pattern mounting plate or Gem Metal 15 (Figs. 14 and 15), which is prepared, as to registering and mounting thereon a conventional color separation engraving or pattern 16, by the use of the table 10 and associated instrumentalities; and a moulding frame 17 like that of Figs. 16 through 19, with the assistance of a mat margin rule 18 as shown in Figs. 20 and 21, the mode of interrelated use of the rule 18 and moulding frame 17 being indicated in Fig. 16.

A mounted pattern unit 15, 16 in accordance with Figs. 14 and 15, in effect, correlates the operation or use of the register table 10 and its associated parts, per Figs. 1 through 13, with the operation and use of the moulding frame 17 and a pair of the mat margin rules 18 of Figs. 16 through 21. The reason for this is that an initial key pattern 16, as predeterminedly coordinated with a first mounting plate 15 to constitute a reference unit is employed in fixing a properly located position of further color separation patterns on further identical mounting plates 15, in an identically registered relationship, by the use of table 10; and because each of the thus mounted and registered units is then keyed (by its special proportioned relationship to a moulding frame) in accurately centered relation on a moulding frame 17, with mat margin rules 18 fixedly positioned in accurate relation to the mounted pattern unit 15, 16, so as to define the moulded margins of a mat which is then embossed against the moulding frame and rules by the use of a conventional press. The appearance of the mounted pattern 16, as operatively disposed on the register table 10 and on the moulding frame 17 in the successively performed operations, is indicated in dotdash lines in Figs. 1 and 16, respectively.

Referring first to Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, the register table 10 of the apparatus is in the form of a rigid steel plate 20 of substantial thickness mounted horizontally by a strong, rugged frame work, which may take the form of tubular vertical legs 21 at each of the four corners of the plate 20. The plate 20 has two precision steel guide bearer or abutment shoulders 22 and 23 suitably secured, as by screws 24, along its lefthand and bottom margins, respectively, these bearers meeting at a beveled joint at the lower lefthand corner of the table 111, as viewed in Fig. l. The bearers 22 are very accurately located in exactly degree relation to one another.

Adjacent the opposite corner of plate 20 the latter is provided with an elongated slot 25 extending therethrough, which slot is inclined at an angle to the intersecting margins of plate 20 on a line passing through the junction of the bearers 22, 23. A clamping jaw 26 is here provided to engage an upper righthand corner of the pattern mounting plate 15 (indicated in dot-dash lines in Fig. 1) and, inasmuch as the latter is formed accurately in a desired rectangular outline, to clamp the plate 15 firmly against the bearers 22, 23 when the clamping jaw 26 is in its actuated position, as shown in Fig. 1.

The jaw 26 is actuated under the control of a linkage 27, the details of which are illustrated in Figs. 3-7 of the drawings, to which reference should be had in conjunction with Fig. 1.

The jaw 26 is formed to present a 90 degree open clamping face 28 which extends sufliciently above the surface of register table plate 20 to engage the corner of the pattern mounting plate 15 as indicated in Figs. 4 and 7. The jaw 26 is secured by a screw 29 in a recess 30 of a block-like clamping head 31, with an appropriate spacer spring interposed, and the head 31 is guided for reciprocation by parallel ways 32 atfixed to the lower surface of table plate 20, as illustrated in Fig. 7, thus to guide the jaw 26 in its clamping and unclamping movements in the slot 25 of plate 20.

Clamping head 31 carries a longitudinally extending operating rod 33 beneath the plate 20, and this rod is connected with an angled operating link 34 of the clamp control linkage 27 by means of a compressed spring joint 35 (Fig. 4). To this end, one end of the link 34 has a tubular enlargement 36 closed at its outer end by an apertured screw plug 37, in which the rod 33 is slidably received. A coil compression spring 38 abuts the plug 37 at one end and an enlarged head 39 of rod 33 at its opposite end, thus affording a yieldable connection which insures a firm clamping action on the pattern mounting plate 15 by clamp jaw 26, yet without possibility of jamming and damaging the plate. Difierent sizes of the plate 15 are also accommodated by the cushioned connection 35. An adjustment of the rod 33 in a rigidly connected relation to the clamp head 31 is permitted by the tint and lock nut provisions designated 40 on either end of the head.

The end of operating link 34 opposite the spring connection 35 is angled at 41 and is received between parallel arm elements 42 of one lever arm 43 of an operating toggle, generally designated 44. The link portion 41 carries a transverse pin 45 which extends outwardly beyond the lever arm elements 42 and is guided in the opposed slots 46 of a rigid bracket 47 appropriately secured in depending relation to table plate 21), so that the link 34 and outer end of the toggle arm 43 are linearly guided along an inclined path (Fig. 1) as the clamp toggle 44 of linkage 27 is operated.

Another arm of the toggle 44- is constituted by a pair of parallel elements 48 which are pivoted in common with the arm elements 42 on an intermediate pivot pin 49. The opposite ends of the arm elements 48 have a fixed anchor pivot on a further pin 51 carried by an anchor block 51 which is rigidly secured to the under surface of table plate 20. The common pivot pin 49 pivotally receives, between the arm elements 48, one end of a toggle operating link 52 (Figs. 3 and 5). The opposite end of link 52 is pivoted by a pin 53 to the outer end of an operating lever or crank 54, which is in turn journaled by a pin 55 in fixed depending relation to the table plate 20. An actuating arm 56 of the lever 54 extends outwardly adjacent a margin of the table 10, in which zone it is operatively connected to any'suitable manual or pedal controlled actuator, preferably of a type which can be latched when the clamp jaw 26 has been actuated into clamping relation to the adjacent corner of the pattern mounting plate 15. Such actuating movement of course involves a swinging of the lever 54 in a counterclockwise direction about its fulcrum pin 55, as viewed in Fig. 1. This movement is attended by a straightening of the toggle arm elements 42, 48, causing link 41 to shift to the left and downward, as viewed in Fig. 1, and correspondingly shift clamp jaw 26 in the table slot 25.

The acetate and register arm frame 11, as generally referred to above, and illustrated in Fig. l, is pivotally mounted along the righthand side of the base plate 20 of register table (as viewed in Fig. 1), by means of an elongated plate hinge 58, such as a piano hinge, so that it can be readily swung, by grasping an end piece 59 at its opposite side, from its operative position in superposed relation to table plate 20, as in solid line in Figs. 1 and 2, to an inoperative, elevated position illustrated in dot-dash line in Fig. 2, in which position it is rearwardly supported by an upstanding abutment 60 carried by plate adjacent hinge 58. In this withdrawn position, a color separation pattern 16 may be conveniently manipulated in centering the same onto the pattern mounting plate 15, with the latter clamped securely against table bearers 22, 23, in the manner hereinafter described. In the operative, lower position of the frame 11 shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the flexible transparent acetate sheet 13, which is tautly carried by the frame 11 by means to be described, is positioned over the effective moulding areas of the pattern 16, so that accurate registering of successive mounted pattern units may be accomplished by reference to a first image transferred onto the lower surface of the acetate. Likewise, in the lower position of the frame 11, the register arm units 14 are available for adjustable positioning and registermarking of the pattern carried by mounting plate 15, thus affording accurately located register marks to be moulded into a mat which is subsequently embossed against pattern 16.

The frame 11 is rectangular in its over-all outline, and is of an angle iron construction, details of which are illustrated in Figs. 8, 9, l0 and 11, which should be considered in conjunction with Fig. l. The four angle iron pieces, two longitudinal and two lateral, which define the outer outline of frame 11 are designated 61,

being arranged with their horizontalflang'es 62 inturned in a common plane and their vertical flanges 63 extending upwardly. The horizontal and vertical flanges are welded at the corners of the frame to constitute a rigid construction. A further angle iron piece 64 extends across the frame 11 to define the operating opening or aperture 12 of the latter, and the immediate outwardly adjacent angle iron 61 receives the leaf of hinge 58.

In accordance with the invention, provision is made to maintain the transparent acetate sheet 13 in a taut condition at all times, in generally coplanar relation to the horizontal flanges 62 of the frame angle members 61. To this end, and as illustrated in Figs. 8, 9 and 10, one of the frame members 61, i.e., that extending across the top of Fig. 1, has associated therewith an elongated acetate clamp bar 66 which is provided along its length with a series of small penetrating pins 67, and the ad-- jacent surface of the flange 62 of the frame angle member 61 has a correspondingly spaced series of recesses 68 into which the pins extend. Acetate clamp bar 66 is rigidly secured to the flange 62 by a series of screws 69, with one edge of the acetate sheet 13 impaled on the pins 67 and clamped between the bar 66 and frame member 61.

As best illustrated in Figs. 1, 9 and 10, the frame mem ber 61 opposite that just described has provision for securing the adjacent edge of acetate sheet 13 in a manner to maintain the same taut. For this purpose, the upright flange 63 of the frame member 61 in question has secured thereto a pair of upright hinges 70, which carry an adjustable, longitudinally extending acetate clamping foot or bar 71, with which coacts a further elongated clamp bar 72 parallel to and beneath the bar or foot 71. As illustrated in Fig. 10, the bar 72 carries a plurality of acetate penetrating pins 73, similar to those carried by the clamp bar 66 of Fig. 8, and the foot or bar 71 has recesses 74 to accommodate these pins, which penetrate the interposed edge of the acetate 13 in the manner illustrated in Fig. 10. The bars 71, 72 are secured in this clamping relation by screws 75.

In order to take up slackness in the acetate 13 from time to time, provision is made to swing the clamping parts-71, 72 outwardly, i.e. in clockwise direction about the axis of hinge 70, as viewed in Fig. 9. To this end, the foot or bar 71 may be provided with a pair of threaded nut units 71 to abut the outer surface of the upright flange 63 of the adjacent frame angle member 61. The acetate sheet 13 is thus tautened as desired, upon taking up bolts 71" of the units 71'.

For the purpose of'insuring an unfailingly accurate engagement of the frame 11 over table plate 20, the latter is provided with two or more rounded top register lugs or pins 76, as shown in Fig. 11, which are carried by the plate 26 at the lefthand bearer member 22, as it appears in Fig. l. The horizontal flange 62 of the frame angle member 61 in this zone carries register holes 77, which fit over the pins 76 when the frame 11 is in lowered position, thereby insuring a never failing alignment or registration of the frame 11 relative to the table bearers 22.

Reference may be made to Figs. 1, 2, 9, l2 and 13 for details of the construction of the register arm units 14 which are carried by the pivoted frame 11 adjacent each of its four corners. These units are identical; each is mounted to one of the frame members 61 and 64 paralleling the frame hinge 58 adjacent a corner of the frame opening 12, as by a block 79 screwed onto the horizontal and vertical flanges 62, 63, of the frame angle member. A split collar supporting and locking bar 80 (Figs. 1 and 9) surrounds at one end a pivot post element 81 which extends upwardly from each mounting block 79, and one or more nuts 82 are threaded on the upper extremity of the post 81 to restrain the bar in the vertical. sense. The collar portion which surrounds the post is split at 83, so that when it is taken up the bar 80 may be held in rigid relation to the post 81 and frame 11. A similar split collar portion, generally designated 84, is provided at the opposite end of bar 80, encircling a pin 85 (Fig. 2) which extends downwardly through a spacer sleeve 86 and has an end 87 non-rotatively received in one end of a register arm member 88, with a nut 89 threaded on the lower extremity of pin 85 to hold the parts in assembly.

Oppositely threaded rods 90 of substantial length extend through elongated bores in the mounting and clamp bar 80 and through the split zone of its clamp collar portions, as shown in Fig. 1, these rods carrying abutment nuts 92 at their extremities outwardly of their respective collars. The inner ends of the rods are threaded into a capstan takeup coupling 93, which is accommodated by a recess 94 in the bar 80. Manual operating arms or pins 95 are applied to the coupling members 93 to rotate the latter through, say, 90 degrees, whereby such rotation will cause the abutment nuts 92 to compress clamping collar portions 83 and 84 and thereby lock the bar 80 from swinging movement about its pivot post 81, and the arm element 88 against swinging movement about its own pivot pin 85, once the properly adjusted register position of the arm element has been arrived at.

As best illustrated in Figs. 1, 2, 12 and 13, the arm element 88 of each register arm unit 14 has provision to receive a suitable stamping tool, so that when positioned in the manner referred to above, a stamped register mark may be made on the pattern 16, assuming that the same is properly located in relation to the pattern mounting plate 15. To this end, the arm 88 has a bore 97 at its outer end which receives a rotatively adjustable, grommet-like adapter 98, a nut 99 being threadedly applied to the lower extremity of the tubular stem 100 of this adapter. In accordance with the invention, the adapter 98 has a non-circular opening 101 extending therethrough, which is sized to receive an appropriate stamping tool, preferably a spring type tool capable of imparting a stamping impact upon its manual operation,

and thus applying a register stamp mark to a pattern 16 above which the adapter 98 is superimposed by manipulation of the unit 14 as described above.

In order to permit individual rotation of the adapters 98 in their respective arm bores 97, and thus enable the stamped designation on the pattern to be oriented uniformly, as described, provision is made for a resiliently resisted rotatable indexing of these adapters. For example, as illustrated in Fig. 13, to be considered in conjunction with Fig. 2, a pair of wire spring members 102 may be mounted in a bottom recess 103 adjacent the adapter bore 97, these spring members being held in place by a cross piece 104 screwed upwardly against the arm 88. The outer ends of the spring elements 102 are turned upwardly at 105, extending slightly above the upper surface of the arm element 88, where they may ride against a knurled annular surface on the upper flange of adapter 98. The latter is thus positionable readily by hand and will retain its position once set.

The moulding frame 17, as illustrated in Fig. 16 of the drawings, comprises a rectangular steel panel or plate 107 of substantial rigidity which has at each of its four corners an area milled with great accuracy to provide a horizontally elongated series of parallel, rack-like locking teeth or splines 108, which extend at 90 degrees to the horizontal length of the series. In an actual unit, these teeth or splines are milled in exact increments of width, which similar spacing between the teeth, although it is obvious that the width of the milling cuts may be otherwise, if desired. Inwardly of the opposed margins of the moulding frame plate 107 in which the milled lock teeth 108 are formed, two horizontal straight edge shoulders or abutment pieces 109, 110 are fixedly applied across the entire length of the plate, adjacent the top and bottom thereof, so that the shoulder pieces 109, 110 overlie the inner ends of. the milled formations, the

latter extending a substantial distance outwardly of the respective upper and lower abutments to form the milled locking zone 111. The inner edges of the shoulder or abutment pieces 109, are positioned exactly parallel with one another, and in a spacing from one another exactly equal to the dimension of the pattern mounting plate 15. An upstanding register pin 112 is provided on the plate immediately inwardly of one of the abutment or shoulder pieces, as shown in Fig. 16, this pin being'located precisely at the longitudinal center of the plate 107, in reference to the length of the pieces 109, 110. The abutment members 109, 110 may comprise, as illustrated in Fig. 17, a lowermost strip 113 and an upper finish strip 114 of copper, brass or the like, upon which appropriate calibrated scribe markings 115, 116 extending transversely and longitudinally of the abutment or shoulder may be formed. Such marks will be located in predetermined graduated steps from the center of the plate 107, and may be appropriately identified by indicia for the convenience of the user.

As a further convenience in a subsequent mat moulding operation performed on a pattern 16 registered on the mould frame 17, it is desirable to provide suitable gauge elements 117 extending upwardly above one of the abutment or shoulder pieces associated with plate 107, for example the upper member 109. As illustrated specially in Fig. 19 of the drawings, these may take the form of a pair of mildly shaped wire elements, having curved ends 118 which will rest directly on the upper surface of the plate 107, their intermediate bight portion extending through an elongated narrow aperture 119 in the overlying abutment strips 113, 114. The edge of a mat sheet may thus be aligned against the gauge elements 117 and roughly positioned in respect to frame 17 before the actual moulding operation.

A mat margin rule 18 to be employed in conjunction with the moulding frame 17 appears in Figs. 20 and 21 of the drawings, the mode of employing the rule being indicated in Fig. 16. This rule may comprise an elongated steel base strip 121 (Fig. 21) which is, at opposite ends thereof, milled inwardly in a very accurate way to provide a series of locking teeth or splines 122, the dimension and spacing of which is correlated nicely with the dimension and spacing of the lock teeth or splines 108 on the moulding frame plate 107. The rule is coextensive in length with the plate 107, and when positioned over the latter in the manner indicated in Fig. 16, its teeth or splines 122 will mate with the rack teeth or splines 108, in any of the various selected transverse positions of the rule, i.e. lengthwise of the abutment or shoulder pieces 109, 110. A rule 18 of the character shown in Fig. 20 is provided for use at each of the spaced rackbearing ends of the moulding frame plate 107. The rules are provided with appropriately calibrated markings or scribings 123, 124 which may be formed on a special copper or brass upper strip 125 of the rule, shown in Fig. 21.

As illustrated in Fig. 16, the moulding frame 17 is provided with longitudinal and transverse centering scribe marks 127 and 128 across its entire width and height, these marks extending also across the abutment or shoulder pieces 109, 110 applied to the base plate 107 of the frame. They are accurately scribed in the exact center points of the frame 17. Similarly, and by reference to Fig. 1 of the drawings, the register table 10 is Provided with corresponding longitudinal and transverse scribe lines 130, 131 which are accurately located at distances from the inner edges of the bottom steel precision bearer 23 and the left hand precision bearer 22, respectively, exactly equal to the spacing of the scribe lines 127, 128 from the abutment or shoulder 110 of moulding frame 17 and from the left hand edge of the frame member 17. Moreover, each of the pattern mounting plates 15 (Fig. 14) carrries longitudinal and transverse scribe lines 132 and 133 which are centered on the plate in the transverse and longitudinal senses. A register notch 133' is formed at the top of the scribed mark or line 133 for coaction with the register pin 112 of moulding frame 17, as hereinafter described. When a pattern mounting plate 15 is positioned and locked on the register table 10, its scribe lines 132 and 133 will register exactly with the corresponding respective scribe marks or lines 130, 131 of the table plate 20.

In the use of the apparatus to obtain an expedited registering of progressive color separation engravings or patterns with accuracy, a pattern mounting plate 15 such as is shown in Figs. 14 and 15 is placed on the register table plate 20 of Fig. 1, with its left hand and bottom edges in engagement with the precision steel guide bearers 22, 23, respectively, of table 10. The clamping jaw 26 is then actuated through the linkage 27, as by a suitable foot operated air piston or foot operated friction holding device (not shown) operatively associated with the operating lever 54 which controls the linkage 27. This results in straightening of the toggle 44, causing the link 41 to draw the jaw 26 inwardly and to the left, as

- viewed in Fig. 1, into engagement with the adjacent corner of the pattern mounting plate 15. The compensating spring connection 35 of linkage 27 insures a uniform pressure to hold the plate 15 against the side and bottom bearers 22, 23 with its longitudinal or horizontal and transverse or vertical scribe lines 132, 133 in superposed registration with the scribe marks 13!), 131 of plate 20, as indicated above.

On the assumption that four separate patterns 16 are to be registered for the subsequent moulding of mats for plates to print in black, red, blue and yellow, which patterns have been prepared in the customary way by routing out areas at which the mat is not to be moulded or embossed for the color in question, the first or key pattern, which is usually the pattern for black or the largest pattern, is measured for its centers, and scribe lines are placed thereon from left to right and from top to bottom as indicated at 134 and 135, respectively, of Fig.

135 and 132, 133, it is securely fastened in this position to the mounting plate 15, preferably by means of a thermoplastic cement at the four corners of the pattern 16. The operations of centering the pattern and mounting plate may of course be performed prior to locking up the plate-pattern unit on table 10. The unit is carefully placed in a hot press and subjected to pressure for a few minutes to activate the cement.

The centered and secured plate and pattern unit 15, 16 is now locked onto the register table 10 in the fashion described above, whereupon the mould surfaces of the pattern 16, designated 136 in Figs. 14 and 15, are inked in black and the acetate carrying frame 11 is lowered to bring the acetate sheet 13 over these areas. Upon rubbing the upper surface of acetate, the inked image is transferred onto its lower surface.

It is to be noted by reference to Fig. 1, that, as the acetate sheet 13 is superposed over the pattern 16 on ,rnounting plate 15, there are non-printing areas of the pattern 16 exposed at all of its four corners. The four register arm units 14 are now manipulated to position the adapter elements 98 on their respective arms 88 over each of the exposed corner portions of the pattern 16 just referred to and, so positioned, the units 14 are locked up to clamp them rigidly in place. This is accomplished by turning of the capstan member 93 of each unit 14, which causes its reversely threaded rods 90 to draw inwardly and compress the split collar portions 84 at opposite ends of the bar 80. Each arm unit is thus locked in its operative position, as indicated in dotted line in Fig. 1. The adapters 98 are rotatably adjusted to orient their squared openings 101 uniformly, whereupon an appropriate spring stamping tool is inserted in each of these openings and manually actuated to drive a stamped register mark (indicated at 137 in Figs. 1, 14 and 16) into each of the four corner areas. This completes the preparation of the initial color separation pattern and plate unit 15, 16.

The master register image for the predominant, key color of the subject matter in question has now been transferred onto acetate 13. The frame 11 is now raised and the key pattern and mounting plate unit is removed from register table 10 upon release of the clamping jaw 26. This unit may be transferred immediately to the moulding table 17 for the further operations to be performed on the unit, as will be described at a later point.

A second pattern mounting plate 15 is now locked up on the register table 10 in the manner referred to above, and a second prepared engraving or etching 16 is roughly centered thereon by reference to the sets of scribe lines 132, 133 and 134, 135 on the plate 15 and second pattern, respectively. Frame 11 is again lowered into operative position, the openings 77 in its lefthand side member 61 engaging the upstanding pins 76 at the lefthand steel bearer 22 to insure the exact positioning of the frame as for the preceding transfer operation.

It will be assumed that the operator has checked with the proof of the job being handled to make sure that there is adequate area exposed at the four corners of the second and other separation patterns to be registered to permit the reception of the corner register marks 137 as applied to the key pattern in the above described fashion. If not, it will be necessary to place these marks in the bolster area. Preferably the arrangement will be such that the register arm units 14 will have been positioned and locked with their adapters 98 superposed within a four inch square area of each corner of the pattern 16.

The second color separation pattern 16 is now registered accurately in respect to the register table plate 20 by reference to the image on the transparent acetate 13, whereupon pattern 16 is now adhesively fastened to its mounting plate 15 as described above. A recheck of the pattern with the image on the acetate is made, and center lines 134, 135 are scribed on non-printing areas of the register pattern 16, using the steel bearers 22, 23 as straight edges for the scribing T-square. The manual stamping tool is then applied successively to the locked register arm adapters 98 and actuated to apply the four register marks 137 to the second plate.

The second pattern is now registered in perfect alignment with reference to the image on acetate 13, hence, to the moulding areas of the previously prepared, key pattern, as well as in reference to the center lines 134, 135 thereof and its register marks 137. The second pattern and mounting plate 15 are now carefully removed from the table 10 and pressed to set the adhesive thereof, upon which the second plate is ready for moulding. The third and fourth color pattern-plate units 15, 16 are registered in exactly the same manner as described in reference to the second pattern-plate unit.

While the use of a thermoplastic cement is preferred, for the purpose mentioned above, in the event it is desired to secure the pattern and plate positively by pinning, this can be accomplished accurately by inserting a drill bushing in the adapters 98 of register arm units 14 following the stamping of the register marks 137. This method allows the register mark and lock pin to be received in the same location. However, the disadvantage of the pinning procedure resides in the fact that the accurately proportioned pattern mounting plates 15 are penetrated. Since it may be desired to reuse these plates from time to time, this is not desirable; however, the

11 holes may be periodically filled by soldering and filing of the solder to the thickness of the plate itself.

As produced in accordance with the preceding description, the set of four pattern-plate units 15, 16 are all accurately registered in reference to one another, and in reference to the register scribe marks 127, 128 of the moulding frame 17 (Fig. 16). Insurance is had that, following this, the job will be in perfect center, and will appear in that position in the newspaper, irrespective of any conventional type of register marks originally furnished on the patterns 16 by their maker. The complete set of pattern-plate units may be set up and registered in the way described before any moulding is done, or the first unit may be moulded, by use of the equipment shown in Figs. 16-21, while the second unit is being registered, and so on with the third and fourth units. Alternatively, once the pattern-plate units have been prepared, the entire set may be filed away for a future moulding date, or held on hand for repeated remoulding, if necessary at any time before the run is completed.

Referring now to Figs. 14-21, each of the pattern-plate units 15, 16 is placed on the moulding frame 17 of Fig. 16, engaging its upper register notch 133' with the pin 112 on moulding frame plate 107. The horizontal edges of mounting plate 15 set snugly within the register edges of the abutments or shoulders 109, 110, the parts being proportioned exactly to this end, as mentioned above. A mat margin rule 18, such as is shown in Fig. 20, is now applied to each of the opposite ends of the moulding frame 17, as shown in Fig. 16, its rack teeth or splines 122 meshing with the milled teeth or splines 108 of the corner areas 111 on the plate 107.

The positioning of the rules 18 is determined by the requirements of the particular newspaper job being handled as to the width of bolster area required on the opposite ends of the mat to be moulded. The setting of the rule is effected nicely by reference to the calibrated indicia on the frame 17, and when the proper position is reached, the engaging rack teeth or splines hold the rule securely in place, without looseness or lost motion.

It is desirable to provide at least two sets of mat margin rules 18 in order to increase the range and selectivity as to which the intended margin markings may be moulded on a moulding unit, comprised of the abutmentbearing moulding frame plate -107 and rules 18 associated therewith. For example, on one of the rules 18 the rack teeth or splines 122 may be milled in widths and spacings of A: of an inch, so that by moving both of the rules inwardly or outwardly the distance of one tooth apiece the page size will be diminished or increased by Mr inch. In the second set of rules 18, the teeth or splines 122 will have a corresponding width and spacing, but the series of teeth will be offset, say, of an inch in reference to the edge of the rule, as compared with the series of the first rule 18. This permits the second pair of rules 18 to be placed in the same tooth or spline areas 111 of plate 107 as the first pair, 1

but the rules when initially placed will border a moulding space varying to the extent of of an inch from a corresponding setting of the first set of rules. It is therefore possible to obtain any page size adjusted width within A; of an inch over-all in a range from, say, 14 to l7 inches. The calibrated markings of the mould frame base 107 and the rules facilitate the placing of the latter. The described flexibility or versatility as to size choice permits a newspaper to change page sizes at any time in a matter of seconds, which signifies that the color register equipment of the invention will never become obsolete as the result of newspaper page size changes.

When the rules 18 have been located on plate 107 to afford the desired size and bolster area, the paper mat is placed on the assembled frame-rule 'unit 17, 18 and 12 the mat is then moulded in an entirely conventional manner.

The drawings and the foregoing specification constitute a description of the improved method and apparatus for newspaper color registering and moulding in such full, clear, concise and exact terms as to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, the scope of which is indicated by the appended claims.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. Apparatus for registering progressive color patterns, comprising a support providing a register plate having margin abutment means to engage and register successive pattern units, an open frame mounted on said support for guided movement into and out of operative superposed relation to said register plate, means mounting a sheetlike transfer member on said frame for superimposition over a pattern of one of said units in the operative position of said frame, and a register member mounted on and carried by said frame for movement therewith, said register member having means to adjust its position on said frame by reference to said pattern.

2. Apparatus for registering progressive color patterns, comprising a support providing a register plate having margin abutment means and an adjustable clamp to engage and register successive pattern units uniformly against the same, an open frame pivotally mounted on said support for guided movement into and out of operative superposed relation to said register plate, means mounting a sheet-like transfer member on said frame for superimposition over a pattern of one of said units in the operative position of said frame, and a register member mounted on and carried by said frame for movement therewith, said register member having means to adjust its position on said frame by reference to said pattern.

3. Apparatus for registering progressive color patterns, comprising a support providing a register plate having margin abutment means to engage and register successive pattern units, an open frame pivotally mounted on said support for guided movement into and out of operative superposed relation to said register plate, means mounting a sheet-like transfer member on said frame for superimposition over a pattern of one of said units in the operative position of said frame, said means including an auxiliary frame member holding said transfer member and adjustable relative to the frame to tension the transfer member, and a register member mounted on and carried by said frame for movement therewith, said register member having means to adjust its position on said frame by reference to said pattern.

4. Apparatus for registering progressive color patterns, comprising a support providing a register plate having margin abutment means and an adjustable clamp to engage and register successive pattern units uniformly against the same, an open frame mounted on said support for guided movement into and out of operative superposed relation to said register plate, a register unit comprising an arm carried by said frame for superimposition over said successive pattern units in the operative position of said frame, and means adjustably mounting said register arm on said frame.

5. Apparatus for registering progressive color patterns, comprising a support providing a register plate having margin abutment means and an adjustable clamp to engage and register successive pattern units uniformly against the same, an open frame mounted on said support for guided movement into and out of operative superposed relation to said register plate, a register unit comprising an arm carried by said frame for superimposition over said successive pattern units in the operative position of said frame, and means adjustably mounting said register arm on said frame, including a member having spaced pivotal clamp connections to said frame and arm, and a device to simultaneously tighten said connections to hold said arm rigidly in an adjusted position relative to a pattern unit.

6. Apparatus for registering progressive color patterns, comprising a support providing a register plate having margin abutment means and an adjustable clamp to engage and register successive pattern units uniformly against the same, an open frame mounted on said support for guided movement into and out of operative superposed relation to said register plate, means mounting a sheetlike transparent transfer member on said frame for superimposition over a pattern of one of said units in the operative position of said frame, a register unit comprising an arm carried by said frame for superimposition over said successive pattern units in the operative position of said frame, and means adjustably mounting said register arm on said frame. I

7. Apparatus for registering progressive color patterns, comprising a support providing a register plate having margin abutment means and an adjustable clamp to engage and register successive pattern units uniformly against the same, an open frame pivotally mounted on said support for guided movement into and out of operative superposed relation to said register plate, means mounting a sheet-like transparent transfer member on said frame for superimposition over a pattern of one of said units in the operative position of said frame, a register unit comprising an arm carried by said frame for superimposition over said successive pattern units in the operative position of said frame, and means adjustably mounting said register arm on said frame, including a member having spaced pivotal clamp connections to said frame and arm, and a device to simultaneously tighten said connections to hold said arm rigidly in an adjusted position relative to a pattern unit.

8. Apparatus for registering progressive color patterns, comprising a support providing a register plate having margin abutment means and an adjustable clamp to engage and register successive pattern units uniformly against the same, an open frame pivotally mounted on said support for guided movement into and out of operative superposed relation to said register plate, a sheet-like transparent transfer member on said frame for superimposition over a pattern of one of said units in the operative position of said frame, said means including an auxiliary frame member holding said transfer member and adjustable relative to the frame to tension the transfer member, a register unit comprising an arm carried by said frame for superimposition over said successive pattern units in the operative position of said frame, and means adjustably mounting said register arm on said frame, including a member having spaced pivotal clamp connections to said frame and arm, and a device to simultaneously tighten said connections to hold said arm rigidly in an adjusted position relative to a pattern unit.

9. In register apparatus of the type described, a frame movable into and out of operative position relative to a pattern or like unit, a register unit comprising an arm carried by said frame for superimposition over said unit in the operative position of said frame, and means adjustably mounting said register arm on said frame, including a member having spaced pivotal clamp connections to said frame and arm, and a device to simultaneously tighten said connections and hold said arm rigidly at its pivots in an adjusted position relative to a pattern unit.

10. In register apparatus of the type described, a frame movable into and out of operative position relative to a pattern or like unit, a register unit comprising an arm carried by said frame for superimposition over said unit in the operative position of said frame, and means adjustably mounting said register arm on said frame, including a member having spaced pivotal clamp connections to said frame and arm, and a device having reversely threaded screw portions engaging said clamp connections to simultaneously tighten said connections and hold said arm rigidly at its pivots in an adjusted position relative to a pattern unit.

11. Registering apparatus as described, comprising an open register frame guided for movement, a transparent sheet-like transfer member, and means mounting said member to extend across said frame, comprising a clamp securing said member to said frame along a margin of the member, a further clamp securing said transfer member along an opposite margin thereof, and means mounting said further clamp for adjusting movement to regulate the tension of said transfer member.

12. Registering apparatus as described, comprising an open register frame guided for movement, a transparent sheet-like transfer member, and means mounting said member to extend across said frame, comprising a clamp having pins penetrating said transfer member and securing said member to said frame along a margin of the member, a further clamp having pins penetrating and securing said transfer member along an opposite margin thereof, and means mounting said further clamp for adjusting movement to regulate the tension of said transfer member.

13. Registering apparatus as described, comprising an open register frame guided for movement, a transparent sheet-like transfer member, and means mounting said member to extend across said frame, comprising a clamp securing said member to said frame along a margin of the member, a further clamp securing said transfer member along an opposite margin thereof, means pivotally mounting said further clamp on said frame for adjusting movement to regulate the tension of said transfer member, and adjustable screw means acting between said frame and further clamp to hold the latter in adjusted position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 398,232 Hastie Feb. 5, 1889 813,261 Vining Feb. 20, 1906 2,108,039 Betts Feb. 15, 1938 2,199,614- Bungay May 7, 1940 2,512,937 Hartman June 27, 1950 2,679,695- Bungay June 1, 1954 2,680,405 Faeber et a1. June 8, 1954 2,736,968 Faeber Mar. 6, 1956 

